KFC opened its 30,000th restaurant in Rome this month. This marks a milestone in the company's consistent global expansion since 1952 and is a significant achievement for parent company Yum!.Brands Co., Ltd.
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Global expansion
On average, KFC moves a new store every 3.5 hours, with operations in 149 countries and soon to reach 150. This expansion will not only solidify KFC as Yum!'s fastest growing retail brand, but will also account for 50% of the company's segment operating profit.
“Opening our 30,000th restaurant is a testament to the support of our local business partners, employees and customers over the past nearly 75 years,” KFC Global CEO Sabir Sami said in a statement. ” he said. “While we are a global brand, we aim to meet the unique needs and expectations of our guests at a local level with menus that resonate with the local culture and flavors of each community. It also includes serving local communities through donations.'' It is a skills development program implemented in many markets, including Italy. ”
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continuous growth
In 2023, KFC opened approximately 2,700 stores in 96 countries, with particularly strong growth in India and Latin America. These expansion efforts have boosted Yum!'s stock performance, with the stock gaining 11.1% over the past year.
Sami said 25 more KFC stores are planned in Italy as Yum! The brand's ambitious growth strategy is challenging rivals like McDonald's and Starbucks.
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